Page 90 of Forbidden Love

“Are you serious?”

“Home isn’t a place or where your extended family lives; it’s where you are.” I pressed my hand to her chest, feeling the comforting beat of her heart. “You’re my home.”

Her whole body sagged and swayed so that she was leaning her weight into me. “I like that.”

“I like you.”

Her eyes widened. “Do you mean it? Would you really move across the country or even to another one for me?”

“You’re my home. I can’t survive without you.” I’d barely made it through the last day without her. Ever since she walked away from me on the sidewalk, I saw my future crumbling. She was my reason for building that house. I’d listened to every one of her suggestions for tweaking the plans to make it hers.

She smiled. “The job was great, but—”

I held my breath as I waited for her to reveal our future.

“It wasn’t for me. My home is with you.”

“Baby, that’s wherever you are. Remember? It’s not a place. It’s you.” I emphasized the last two words. I needed her to hear me.

“My home is in Telluride. Where your family is, where mine lives, and where you are.”

I was overcome with emotion. My muscles were suddenly weak from the stress of the day. I turned us so that I was sitting on the bed, and she was standing between my spread legs. “What are you saying, baby? I’m going to need you to spell it out for me.”

Her hand cupped my jaw. “I love you, and I want to be with you in Telluride. I want to take the event coordinator position at my family’s lodge. I just need to find a new place to live.”

I turned my cheek into her hand. “Move in with me.”

“But the house isn’t finished—”

I gripped her hips. “When the house is done, will you please move in with me? I built it for you, us, for our future together.”

She nodded. “I’d love to.”

“We’ll figure everything else out together.” It was all just details. What mattered was that Kylie was mine, and she loved me.

EPILOGUE

KYLIE

After my interview, we’d stayed in California for a few days, soaking up the sun and each other. I couldn’t believe that Tyler had followed me, that he was willing to leave his hometown, his family, and everyone he loved so that he could be with me.

The job was perfect for me, but LA wasn’t Telluride. I’d fallen in love with the mountains when I was a little girl, and I was ready to call it my home again. I adored Tyler’s family, I loved him, and Telluride was part of my soul that I’d denied for too long.

The issues with my family had been brought to light by Tyler, and my brothers were working hard to change my perception of them. I knew we had a long way to go, but it was a start. I loved my new job. I felt settled in a way I never had before. Because this was where I belonged, working alongside my family.

At the end of the day, I went home to Tyler, and we couldn’t wait to move into the new house. The one we’d planned together.

I worked over the summer on marketing the new options for weddings, fundraisers, and other events at the lodge. I even convinced my dad to allow me to offer art classes for the kids, campfires, and movie nights for the guests.

The lodge wasn’t just about skiing, snowboarding, or hiking. It was an experience, one the whole family would enjoy. I made that my motto, and every decision flowed from that goal.

When I got off work, Xander walked me to my car. “Are you happy here, sis?”

I smiled. “I am. I feel like I’ve been fighting this inevitability my whole life. And now I’m home.”

“We’re happy to have you here. I’m sorry we didn’t see it earlier.”

“I didn’t tell you either. It’s not your fault.” We were working toward healing our relationships. We’d had many versions of this conversation over the past few months, ever since I returned from California. I think my brothers enjoyed having me back and would do anything for me to stay. It was a good feeling. Especially after growing up feeling like an outsider.

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